Zeres glanced around, he was glad no one was here—or else they’d have long think he’s a madman.

"Never mind, I won’t even be surprised anymore." running a hand through his hair, he laid down on the cold marble. It was uncomfortable, but what can he do... It’s not like they have hotels here.

Staring quietly at the ceiling, Zeres asked

"Uhh, where am I currently? "

He doesn’t remember his sister’s webnovel having such a place. A land full of undead and the foul stench of rotten corpses.

"Hmm, in ’Lilith’ the land of the Deads as you call it" the woman’s soothing voice echoed inside his head.

His eyes widened as he sprung up "Lilith?, wait.... Isn’t it the land where even gods can’t enter freely? "

Lilith, it was a land filled with the Aura of death, located at the farthest North where even monsters hesitates to enter, it was even stated in legends that even the sun can’t reach this cursed lands.

Haaa, I’m fucked, this place was filled with undeads and abominations.. How am I supposed to survive.... Not only I’m in the land of Lilith, I don’t even know the way out, plus—I’m a weakling.

"Wait, but if it’s Lilith like you say, why did a sunlight hit me this afternoon? " Zeres clicked his tounge inwardly, his gaze sharpening.. ’Maybe I shouldn’t trust this woman. ’

But before his suspicions deepened, the woman answered

"That’s because it wasn’t sunlight, it was a holy magic, today was the date the Popes of that damned church strengthen the seal on this land." In an instant, strong winds slammed the door shut, the candles flickered as the woman spoke coldly.

’So I just over reacted for nothing?.. It’s just a spark’ Zeres groaned quietly, the humiliation made him realize how stupid he must’ve look in front of her.

But..

At the same time, he was baffled at the sudden shift of her tone as she spoke of the church, for her not to hide her displeasure against the church. it seems there’s a long history between them.

"But what are they trying to seal in this land?" He asked, this was never written in the story, so he doesn’t know much.

"Then, I wouldn’t be able to leave this place? " what am I going to do now... I don’t even know this body, now I can’t leave this place?

’Please, anything but being stuck with these ugly creatures’ Zeres unconsciously clenched his fist.

"You should be fine, the seal’s only at 5th circle at most—if you managed to surpassed 5th circles, you can leave this place" the woman, as if sensing Zeres unease responded, only adding fuel to his problems.

Zeres nodded weakly "Right, considering this is the borders, the strongest pope of the church will be at the capital" but still, it didn’t made him feel comforted—it just means he needs to grow stronger faster; If possible, within those five months.

"Umm, do you know of a way to become stronger quickly? " Zeres asked, though it’s only inside of his head—he isn’t that shameless to request something precious from a person he only met today.

Out of nowhere, the woman replied "There is, open your palms"

"Huh? Okay? " Zeres opened his palm quietly, waiting for some miracles.

A faint shimmer

"Wow" Zeres marveled, staring at the bloody book before him "is this perhaps the grimoire? " he asked, his eyes gleaming as he scanned the grimoire’s cover.

"Now Zeres, spill some of your blood in it, do that and you’ll own the grimoire" the woman said softly.

Zeres hesitated, his fingers lingering at the books edges as he asked "Is it okay if I use this?"

"It’s fine, it’s yours anyway. "

Zeres’ brow arched at her last sentence, but he didn’t asked about it, there will come a time where he’ll know it afterall; as it looks like they’ll be together for some time.

Zeres then wounded himself, he let his blood dirtied the grimoire’s cover, after a moment; a clicking sound was heard, the grimoire was unlocked.

Ding!

_______________

[Primordial’s Mana has been inherited!]

[Physique of the Divine has been inherited!]

[Blood Origin Magic has been inherited!]

[Dark Magic affinity has been unlocked!]

[Water Magic affinity has been unlocked!]

[Wind Magic has been unlocked!]

____________________

Zeres stared at the interface as if he’d seen a ghost "um, isn’t this too much for a gift? "

"It’s good for you, and for now, go down the basement; there you’ll see a massive door, I left some fortune in there" her melodious voice echoed inside of Zeres’ head.

He stood up "Okay then, at the basement right? " dusting off the dirt on his pants, Zeres walked silently until he found the staircase leading down to some dark alley.

Zeres shook his head, staring at the dark staircase ’Thankfully I have night vision, or else—I might’ve tripped over a hundred times ’ He stepped down the staircase after a while, he then landed on the flat ground.

The strong scent of used candles assaulted his senses before he could cover it

Zeres’ nose scrunched "At the farthest" he heard her whisper, so he just nodded weakly, then trudged forward on the direction she was briefed on.

The sound of his footsteps echoed on the quiet corridors.

After a moment of walking, he arrived at a massive metal door, it has engravings, runes he can’t comprehend and spells etched to fortify it’s defenses.

’This must be heavy’ Zeres raised his finger to traced the rune in front of him.. Just then....

The massive door opened, it’s heavy doors caused a shrieking sound, as if it’s alive.

"Ehhh" Zeres blinked, then look sideways—only to realize he’s the one that caused it

He sighed "Haystt, I don’t even know whats going on" then he stepped inside the lavish room.

Glancing up, his eyes widened

’Holy shit’ what greeted him wasn’t a several coins he expected, instead— it was a room filled with precious artifacts, gold coins scattered everywhere and jewelries just hanging on the stands.

"Go to the table at the corner, I remembered putting a storage ring on the drawer" the woman urged Zeres to take it, but he didn’t—he was suspicious of the woman.

"Are you really just giving it to me?" Zeres’ brow twitched

"Are you sure you won’t regret it? " he fired dozens of questions inside his own head.

"Yes, my child, it’s all yours" The woman said softly, her serene voice echoing inside Zeres head.

The woman then sighed "And Zeres my child, you are a sanguine, you’ll need some blood" She’nagged.

"Ohh, right... I’m a sanguine now, I’m not a human " Zeres smiled solemnly, her nagging made him remember his family. ’I hope they’re fine there.’

"Then I wish you the best Zeres my child, I’ll be going in a slumber now" the woman appeared before Zeres one last time, before vanishing into smoke.

"W-wait, at least tell me your name first!" Zeres’ hand grabbed nothing but the air.

After a moment of silence, Zeres eyes sharpened as he asked.

"System, who was that woman? "

Ding!

A red translucent screen appeared before him, but something was strange.

____________________

[Identifying Target: Processing]

[Error!]

[Error!]

[Failed to identify the target!]

[Notice : The system has damaged itself!]

[Forcing shut down]

[Time until repair : 3 Months]

_____________________

Zeres’ eyes widened in horror as he looked up at the red screen before him.

Just like that, the system had shut down.

"Phew" Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Zeres shook my head hopelessly.

He stared at the system so hard he didn’t notice that cold seat had already soaked through his clothes.

"It seems she’s even stronger than the system itself, then that means... I’m right— She’s a Goddess" Zeres already had his suspicions from the start, she... was different—her presence itself was divine so it wasn’t hard to guess.

"But it seems, I’m not her enemy so I should take it easy for now" glancing at the treasures before him, it was hard to control his own tears. He’d worked so fucking hard in his last life but he didn’t managed to have this kind of money.

"I really had it tough, but now I’ll enjoy it."Zeres breathed a sigh of relief as he began inspecting all the treasures around the room.

____________

Zeres hummed as he walked upstairs.

Finding his perfect spot, he laid down his coat then sat

The sound of bottles clanging filled the quiet by serene ancient temple. Opening some wine bottles, Zeres decided to enjoy it for the time being.

Standing up, he wiped his lips "Phew, it’s delicious"he then strode off to the exit, Zeres glanced at the sky... It was empty, devoid of the nature’s beauty we tend to admire.

"Staying here in 4 months will be hard if I’m weak" Zeres mumbled.

"Haaa, I miss my family" Chugging down another bottle of wine, he laid on the ground.

Returning to Earth is probably impossible; for now, instead of feeling helpless, I should also train to get accustomed to this body’s level— I needed to adapt.

Putting the wines away, Zeres sat in a crossed legged position, breathing evenly—he began to feel the mana around.

Lets see, hmm, the method is.. Gathering the mana of origin into one place and fusing it with my own blood. ?

"Thats unique" Zeres remarked before he started gathering the mana of origin in front of him.

He opened his eyes slightly "What the, this place is filled with incredibly pure mana" Zeres stared at the mana particles floating every where, there were countless.

"So this is how to control mana" Zeres smiled, it has always been a curiosity of his.. How does mana feel and how do you control it.

Sinking deeper into concentration, Zeres opened his eyes, only to be greeted by an unending darkness "where is this? " he asked

[It’s the subconscious of the host]

A red interface howeres beside him

Zeres piched his chin "ahh, right, this is where the grimoire told me to form my first star so I’ll be an official mage

[Notice: the host will have to merge all his four affinities to form one-star! ]

Zeres mouth twitched "this will be very hard’ he shook his head, then gathered the mana before him, separate them; then merge them slowly.It was a long nerve-wrecking process.

Minutes pass, Hours, and even days.

Unaware of the time, I continued to meditate... Until

Ding!

[The host have successfully formed one-star! ]

________________

[Omniscience : 15%]

Name : Zeres Lairen Eryndor Noctyrr

Age : 18

Race : Sanguine (Ancient)

Class : Mage

Rank : 1st-star (Initiate)

Physique : Physique of the Divine

Stats :

Strength : E

Agility : E

Endurance : F+

Dexterity : E-

Perception : E

Primordial’s Mana : D

Affinities :

Blood Origin Magic

Dark Magic

Water Magic

Wind Magic

_____________________________